Justice Esi Schimming-Chase was sworn in this morning as a judge of the Supreme Court.

Schimming-Chase is the first woman to be permanently appointed to the apex court.

Schimming-Chase brings with her a wealth of experience in the judicial field. She was admitted as a barrister in the United Kingdom in 1994 and later as a legal practitioner of the High Court of Namibia in 2002. 

In July 2003, she became a member of the Society of Advocates of Namibia and practised for about 18 years. She was subsequently conferred the status of Senior Council in 2017.

The oath was administered by Chief Justice Peter Shivute, who said, "She also served in leadership roles within the legal profession, including as chairperson of the Law Society of Namibia and president of the Society of Advocates. Before her appointment as a substantive judge of the High Court in April 2021, Schimming-Chase served in an acting capacity on several occasions. From 2023 until the end of last year, she served as an acting judge of the Supreme Court."

Justice Shivute said representation of women on the bench has increased since independence, with women now constituting the majority of judges in the High Court.